• OVEREXCITABILITIES OF GIFTED


    Giftedness is not merely high intelligence or good grades.  According to Kazimierz Dabrowski (1902-1980) in his Theory of Emotional Development, giftedness exhibits itself through "overexcitabilities."  There are five excitabilities.  Within each category there are characteristics which seem to be prominent in the gifted and creative individual.

    P.S.- These characteristics also apply to adults who are gifted.  Maybe you will understand yourself better!

    PSYCHOMOTOR EXCITABILITY

    • High energy
    • Love intense physical activity and movement
    • Feel constantly pressured to take action
    • Impulsive behavior
    • Have nervous habits
    • Always restless, "on the go" and incapable of relaxing
    • Talk compulsively
    • Workaholics

    SENSUAL EXCITABILITY

    • Emotionally "moved to tears" by music or visual art
    • Prone to eating and drinking excesses because of the intense pleasure  received
    • Adventurous to experience new sensory pleasures
    • Vivid memory of sensory experiences when recalling an event

    INTELLECTUAL EXCITABILITY

    • Always questioning everything
    • Interested in a variety of theories and ideas
    • Ability to examine ideas outside the framework of one's own opinion
    • Enjoy research, analysis and theoretical thinking
    • Problem solving provides immense satisfaction